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Scenario: I have a Linux computer in AP mode and for whatever reason, I do not have a DCHP server installed. Now, I connect a couple laptops to said AP. How do I tell the AP (computer) that the new devices belong to such-and-such IP address?

KI4JGT
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    I'm not a networking expert, but I think you simply don't. Either you get a DHCP server and configure a range/address pool on the AP or you configure the connected laptops with a static IP. – Samuel Feb 21 '17 at 09:16

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DHCP is a method for automatically register machines in a local DNS server. If you are running Linux on the laptops as well, assign an IP address to each of the machines by editing the hosts file.

sudo vim /etc/hosts 
add the following line, change the IP address accordingly.
192.168.1.2 laptop1

Or, use NetBIOS Name Service for Windows and multicast DNS for Mac.

arupgsh
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  • So essentially, there is no registry maintained. All the computers just assume their own IPs and then when the router wants to route traffic, it asks who has what IP? – KI4JGT Feb 21 '17 at 07:05
  • @KI4JGT Yes, this is how it supposed to work. – arupgsh Feb 21 '17 at 07:13
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    DHCP manages IP addresses, not hostnames. – Melebius Feb 21 '17 at 07:17
  • So, what's ARP for? How are its results generated and does the router have an ARP table? – KI4JGT Feb 21 '17 at 07:32
  • @KI4JGT ARP provides the translation between IP and MAC addresses while DNS or /etc/hosts provide the translation between IP addresses and hostnames. ARP tables are created dynamically during usage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address_Resolution_Protocol#Example – Melebius Feb 21 '17 at 08:04